Frequently Asked Questions

If you are planning a wedding ceremony or reception aboard the WW Durant, check out some frequently asked questions below! To book your ceremony or reception or if you have any additional questions not addressed here, please contact Donna at [email protected].

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How do I find out if my date is available?

The most important step of making your reservation is getting your name in the charter book. Contact Donna to find out what dates are available!

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How much is the deposit?

A $1,000 deposit is required to hold your reservation, fully refundable 90 days prior to event. All private charter payments must be made with check or cash. Final payment can be paid in advance or on the day of the event.

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Who is the day-of coordinator?

Donna Pohl and Rachel Pohl will be there on the day of the wedding to make sure all the little details fall into place.

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Who is the officiant?

Captain Pohl has been appointed a marriage officer by the Town of Long Lake and is authorized to marry couples. Captain Pohl does not charge a fee for this service. Or you may bring your own officiant. You may use the vows written for us by a minister who vacations on the lake, Rev. Stephanie Sauve, or you may write your own or use a combination of the two.

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What are my music options for the ceremony/reception?

You may bring your own iPad with a playlist or CDs to put in our CD player (five slots). We have a file of musicians who have played on the boat if you’re considering live music. Because space is so precious on the Durant, the musical group must be small – no more than three or four players. If the weather is nice, the musicians can set up on the upper deck where dancing before and after dinner can take place. If the weather is inclement, there is space for a small ensemble (one to two musicians) to set up in the dining room (even with a full count of 64) but there is no space for dancing. Dancing in the dining room is possible only when the count is 40 people or fewer.

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What are the options for flower arrangements?

You can make arrangements with a local florist who will deliver. Donna has a list of preferred vendors on file. Or you may provide your own table arrangements.

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Can we set up the favors and decorate in advance?

There is some flexibility here in terms of timing. Talk to Donna for more information.

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Is there a space for people to get ready?

We do offer a space, with a bathroom, for you to change into your dress and store your travel clothes during the event.

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Where can I put the wedding gifts?

We suggest all wedding gifts be securely stored in a vehicle parked adjacent to the Durant. There is space on the boat for a guest book and a basket to receive cards.

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Where do the guests park their cars?

There is space for about 12 cars in our parking lot, plus plenty of parking behind the Chapel, adjacent to the Durant’s dock.

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Is the boat handicap accessible?

The dining room accommodates wheelchairs; the two heads or bathrooms do not. Advance notice is appreciated so we can put our ramps in place.

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Are there options for overnight accommodations for the guests?

We suggest you block rooms as soon as possible. There are no hotel accommodations in Raquette Lake. Your guests will have to book lodging anywhere in a 15-mile radius (Inlet or Blue Mountain Lake) or a 25-mile radius (Old Forge, Indian Lake, or Long Lake).

We can recommend housekeeping cottages in Raquette Lake if a family is looking for accommodations.

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Is there a shuttle service from hotels to the WW Durant?

We do not provide a shuttle service, but we can make recommendations for shuttle service.

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What is the WW Durant's capacity?

The three numbers to keep in mind are 64, 56, and 75. 64 is how many guests can be seated and served in our dining room which has eight tables of eight. 56 is how many guests can be accommodated on a buffet style cruise, with seven tables of eight. (The buffet line takes up one table of eight.) Though the Durant is licensed for 100 people, the maximum number of guests that can be accommodated for food service is 75 and that is an option only with a “grazing” format, with food stations set up on both upper deck and in the enclosed dining room (weather permitting). With grazing format there is seating for 24 in the dining room and 50 on the open upper deck.

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What are the private charter rates for the high season?

High Season is defined as the last week in June through Labor Day, plus all Saturdays in September through Columbus Day weekend. If you charter the boat sometime during the shoulder season months of May, June, September, or October, Sunday-Friday, we can give you a break on the costs. We will charge you our retail rate for whichever cruise slot you’re booking, extending you the benefit of private and exclusive use of the Durant. A minimum of 20 is required. This is a great option for rehearsal dinners on a Friday night in June, September or October.

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What are the time slots available for the wedding day?

Dinner cruise time slot minimum charge of $4900 for three-hour cruise, three-course meal for up to 64 people, tax and service charge. We do not charge you for the half hour boarding time nor the de-boarding time.

Mid-day time slot (luncheon, Sunday Brunch or scenic excursion time slots) minimum charge is $2,769 for a two-hour cruise, buffet-style meal for up to 56 people, tax and service charge on food. We do not charge you for the half hour boarding time nor the deboarding time.

“Grazing” format, with elegant hors d’oeuvres, both passed and stationary, utilizing open upper deck and the enclosed dining room. In this scenario private and exclusive use of the Durant would cost $650 per hour plus appetizers with a minimum of $2,769 for up to 75 people . This option works best if the weather is nice so both decks can be utilized. If weather is inclement, all food stations will be set up inside the dining room but space will be at a premium, for both guests and food.

$650 per each additional hour; $325 per each additional half hour.

If you desire a time frame that spans two different cruises, then a $500 surcharge is applied for canceling the second cruise. For example, if you want a private charter from 12 – 2 p.m. on a Saturday, we would have to cancel the luncheon cruise and scenic excursion. You would be charged the $2,500 minimum for the two-hour charter plus another $500 surcharge for canceling the excursion. If you wanted to add another hour, making the charter 12 – 3 p.m. on a Saturday, add an additional $650 for the extra hour but we waive the $500 cancellation fee.

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What is included in the charter rate?

Besides private and exclusive use of the Durant, boarding and de-boarding time, cruise time, staff, food, tax and service charge, all private charters include table linens, china, cutlery and glass wine and water goblets. Table clothes are white with forest green napkins. If you desire a different color napkin we can rent them.

More than any other factor- your dress, your band, your food- your reception venue sets the tone for your wedding. It’s the first thing your guests see when they arrive and it’s what they’re going to be immersed in for the three or four hours they’re celebrating with you. Let Donna and her staff make your wedding on the WW Durant seamless and an unforgettable celebration event that your guests will remember as one of the best receptions ever attended.